When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

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You may measure your true 415 cred by the amount of times you've strolled into the diner that "never close[s]" (as the sign says), sidled up to the bar, ordered a drink, and received a shot of ouzo on the house — without blinking, looking sideways, or feeling the need to keep an open line to flee for the exit.

By Nov. 15, 1940, the Germans had forced nearly 500,000 Polish Jews into a walled ghetto inside Warsaw; by the time the Germans retreated from the country about four years later, only 20 Jews were left alive in the city. One of them was the accomplished classical pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, the subject of Roman Polanski's new film, The Pianist.

Polanski is a Holocaust survivor himself: At age 7, he escaped the Krakow ghetto through a hole in a barbed-wire fence. The acclaimed director had always intended to make a movie about World War II, but was intent on finding the right story -- ideally a personal account (not his own) that would tell a hopeful tale of art and humanity during a time of desperation. When he happened upon Szpilman's 1946 autobiographical book about Warsaw's demise (Death of a City), Polanski had found the material he was looking for.

At age 27 in 1939, Szpilman was doing a live performance of Chopin for Polish state radio when the station, and the entire metropolis of Warsaw, was dive-bombed by the Luftwaffe. Soon after, Szpilman and his family were sent to the Warsaw ghetto, where he played piano in underground pubs. Though his family was eventually transferred to death camps, Szpilman eluded deportation and lived through the war with the help of fellow Jews and a sympathetic German officer. After liberation, Szpilman returned to Polish state radio as musical director, reintroducing the soft sound of the piano to his war-torn country by playing the same Chopin tune that had been so violently disrupted in '39.

The Pianist -- which stars Adrien Brody (Summer of Sam and Liberty Heights) -- is the first film Polanski has shot in Poland in 40 years, and is perhaps his most personal artistic gesture to date. Make no mistake: This isn't just another WWII movie. Rather, it's an authentic story about the triumph of art against the brutal face of war.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"